He was born in 438 in northern Gaul. After devoting himself
for awhile to secular and sacred learning, he withdrew to a small house near
Laon, to live in reclusion and prayer. But when a bishop was needed in Rheims,
the clergy and people carried him off from his hermitage and made him their
bishop. He was only twenty-two years old at the time.
The holy bishop soon became renowned throughout norther Gaul. He converted
heretics, brought Arian heretics back to the Orthodox Faith, cared for the many
who suffered at the hands of barbarian marauders. Wherever he went, miracles
attended him. He healed the sick and demonized and once, when a town was on
fire, threw himself into the flames and quenched them. Birds would come to his
table whenever he ate, and he would share his meal with them.
In 482 the young warrior Clovis became leader of the Frankish tribes in that
region. Though he was a pagan, he knew and admired St Remigius, and was married
to a Christian, St Clotilde (June 3). Once, when his army faced defeat by the
Alemanii, Clovis prayed to 'the God of Clotilde and Remigius' and won a great
victory. This answer to his prayers convinced him of the truth of the Christian
Faith, and he asked St Remigius to instruct him. Two years later he gathered all
his chieftains in Rheims to attend his baptism. The baptism was accompanied by
many miracles, seen by all in attendance. Two of the king's sisters and three
thousand of his lords and soldiers were baptized at the ceremony. This event is
considered the birth of France as a Christian nation.
In great old age, St Remigius went blind, but miraculously recovered his
sight. He reposed in peace at the age of 105, immediately after serving the
Divine Liturgy.